Hatswell quits for League Two

Stamford boss Wayne Hatswell is leaving Stamford and the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League to take up a coaching role with newly promoted Football League side Newport County.

Hatswell took over at the First Division South Daniels at the beginning of January and guided the club to promotion to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's top flight via the play-offs.

The Premier Division oufit moved swiftly on Thursday to appoint Hatswell's successor, with assistant manager David Staff handed the job within hours of his departure for League Two.

Hatswell, pictured, is no stranger to Newport County after joining them in a player and coaching role two years ago, making 23 appearances before moving on to Brackley Town last summer.

Hatswell said: "It is an incredible opportunity and one I couldn't turn down. I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Stamford. I have made some great friends here and I have not got a bad word to say about anyone at the club.

"As I have said before a week is a long time in football and 48 hours ago I was preparing for the season with Stamford but the opportunity was too good to turn down.

"Stamford is a club I will always look back on with the fondest of memories and will look for their results. I am disappointed to leave and not finish the job I started but if I can help Stamford in anyway in the future then I will do."

Hatswell, who will work closely with County manager Justin Edinburgh and his assistant Jimmy Dack as a first team coach, added: "Everything that I have done at Stamford has helped me and, with that, this opportunity has arisen. Justin and Jimmy gave me an excellent reference when I applied for the Stamford job and they have been pivotal in me coming back.

"Hopefully I left Stamford in a better place than when I started. They are in a higher league, they are a sound club financially and, with the new ground coming, this is an excellent opportunity for someone. I am sure that there are players here now who will go on to bigger and better things and I hope that I have helped them develop."

Stamford Chairman Bob Feetham admitted the club couldn't stand in Hatswell's way after the job he's done for them. Feetham said: "It is sad that we should lose Wayne as we prepare for such an exciting future but this really is an opportunity he cannot afford to turn down. We would be churlish to stand in his way.

"I would like to thank him for what he achieved in a very short period of time and to wish him well for the future. None of us will ever forget how he engineered those three remarkable wins over just six days to take us into the Prem. Good luck Wayne and thank you."

Feetham backed the decision to swiftly promote David Staff and added: "David Staff is the perfect fit for this job. A football man of great personal experience, he knows the players and he knows what we need to do if we want to move forward.

"He and Guy [Director of Football, Guy Walton] have a good working relationship and I am sure that together they will successfully meet the stiff challenges that await us next season."

Walton also backed Staff's appointment as the right move after the success he has already achieved at Kettering Road, both before and after the arrival of Hatswell.

Walton said: "We were grateful to David for taking caretaker duties when searching for Graham Drury's replacement. Wayne Hatswell acknowledged Staffy's footballing qualities and their close football relationship flourished and was fundamental to the squad's success this season.

"We wish to support our players and having identified his strengths and shared vision for The Daniels, Staffy will take the manager's role with immediate effect."